Exceptional book

High school history, brushed over Grant’s significance in American History. He was categorized as a drunk who secured Lee’s surrender only by mediocre tactics and overwhelming numbers. Subsequently as President was inept and had the most corrupt administration ever. Chernow does a great job at laying out the truly amazing story of a man who arguably did more for the preservation of the United States than anyone.

This is Ron Chernow’s magnum opus

This book brought me into the mind of Grant. His childhood and young adulthood seemed he might be aimless but when in the military as a young man, his genius for strategy and his ability to connect with soldiers was his success.

Captivating story about an extraordinary human being that made a significant impact on America and the American people during his time as a general and president Today, we can learn from Grant thanks to the author who brought him to life for us. Grateful and appreciative of your hard work!

It’s shocking how the losers of the Civil War are more celebrated and memorialized in school names and statues than the General they lost to. A man under whose leadership a war was won, important constitutional amendments were enforced, and a persistent military presence in the South put the boot on the neck of white supremacy. For better or worse his story is hotly debated. Like with all things, context matters and no more so in this account. Coming from a family of devout abolitionist, perhaps no other President delivered so much in action, money, and support for Black America than Grant. Facts suspiciously overlooked on our textbooks. Instead his characterization is summarized as either the victorious General, a drunk, or misguided President. Even his name is not represented in its exact form. In truth, like all of us, he was more complex, intellectually and morally than history has remembered him. It is no surprise than that it would take this behemoth of a biography to capture all of the nuance of such a layered man. No stone unturned or detail left out, no matter what light it may cast Grant in. The added color of the outstanding feats and failings contrasted to his natural introvert demeanor, make for a fun and engaging journey through his life. The scope of which is encyclopedic in the periods covered and international reach it had. I recommend this one in audiobook format. The reading makes nearly 50-hour listening feel more like a live action documentary. Even in detailing his shortcomings, the biographer demonstrates that in Grant’s life story we are reminded that even the best of us are flawed. What we observe is a man who goes through a sort of hero’s journey to arrive at his true place. Along the way we get a meticulously detailed history of the civil war, politics, and culture of the Gilded Age. Parts of which mirror the drama and complexities of the Peloponnesian War as told by Thucydides.

Excellent book and details of our complex history after the Civil War. This was a very good read.

Very well written, engrossing, captivating. It has motivated me to learn more of Grant.

Interesting and well written but a bit too tedious with details.

Excellent!